Author: Hall of Fame

After playing junior hockey with the Prince Albert Mintos, Dave Balon began a lengthy professional career in 1958‑59 with the Saskatoon Quakers.

Following stops in Three Rivers, Quebec and Kitchener‑Waterloo, Ontario, Balon made it to the pre‑expansion six‑team National Hockey League as a member of the New York Rangers. He spent the 1961‑63seasons with the Blueshirts before being traded to the Montreal Canadians. A highlight of his stay with the Habs was being a member of the 1964‑65 and 1965‑66 Stanley Cup champion teams.

Prior to the 1966‑67 season Balon became the first pick in the National Hockey League expansion draft, chosen by the Minnesota North Stars. He represented the North Stars in the NHL all‑star game that season.

Balon returned to the Rangers the next season and joined with Walt Tkachuk and Bill Fairbairn to form the Bulldog Line. During this stint with the Rangers, he received a number of club honours including the Frank Boucher Award for being the team’s most valuable player in the 1970‑71 season. That season saw Balon return to the NHL all‑star game. An individual highlight came on January 24, 1971 when Balon scored four goals in a game against his former club, the North Stars. The 1971‑73 seasons were spent with the Vancouver Canucks and in 1973‑74 Balon moved to the World Hockey Association with the Quebec Nordiques. It was with Quebec that he suffered a broken foot, an injury which combined with other complications until it was diagnosed Balon had multiple sclerosis. Though the disease ended his playing career Balon remained active in hockey, coaching the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from 1975‑79.

Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

Morrison Scott began a lengthy softball pitching career at the age of 16 with the Prince Albert Lehrers. In 1941, Scott joined the navy and played with a navy all-star squad while posted in Victoria. In 1943, he led that team to the British Columbia Championship.

After returning to Canada from Europe in 1945, Scott pitched in the Halifax Commercial League. He made his mark in this league with two no-hitters while leading his club to the Nova Scotia Intermediate championship. After his discharge, Scott moved back to Saskatchewan where he played for the Osler Monarchs and the Olympics, dominating the Saskatoon Senior Men’s League.

In 1949 Scott moved to Calgary. It was while playing in the Alberta Big Six Fastball League that he struck out 22 batters in one game. In 1953 he led the Calgary Doodlebugs to the Western Canadian championship, pitching a three‑hitter in the final game. That club also competed at the world championship in Fresno, California.

Scott’s pitching prowess and timely hitting made him a dominant player with clubs in Red Deer and later Edmonton. He was described in the Red Deer Advocate as probably the best fastball pitcher in Western Canada.

In 1971 Scott returned to Saskatchewan and at the age of 53 pitched for the Clouston Lads. That club captured the Saskatchewan 8-7 victory over the Regina Raiders, a contest that completed a four-decade career.

Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

Born in November 1924 in Prince Albert, Johnny Bower played on frozen ponds with catalogues and mattresses for body protection. He started in the nets at the age of 8.

Bower’s junior hockey years were spent with the Prince Albert Black Hawks, interrupted only for war service. He moved directly to the American Hockey League Cleveland Barons in 1945.

Thirteen seasons in the AHL and the Western Hockey League brought many awards: three Calder Cups; the Hap Holmes Memorial Trophy three times; WHL Leading Goaltender Award; selection to the AHL All‑Star Team; and the first goalie to receive the Most Valuable Player Award in 1956 ‑ an award he received twice more.

Then, Bower began his second career at the age of 33. Thirteen years in the National Hockey League, two with the New York Rangers and 11 with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Bower starred in four Stanley Cups for Toronto, 1962, ’63, ’64 and ’67. He accumulated notable awards and achievements, the Frank Boucher Trophy in 1953 and the Vezina Trophy in 1960 and 1964. Bower is a member of the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame, the Cleveland and Rhode Island Halls of Fame and was installed in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on June 18, 1988.

Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.

Following an outstanding junior career in soccer in Scotland, Norman Sheldon came to Prince Albert in 1906. In this community he played soccer continuously until 1929. During that period he was chosen three times to represent Canada ‑ 1912 for the England tour, 1921 against Scotland and 1924 against Australia.

In addition to playing every season in Saskatchewan during this period, he played in Vancouver for two winters and in both years was selected as a member of the Vancouver All‑star Team.

He was installed in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on May 22, 1967.

Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.

Born November 23, 1915 In Prince Albert, Phil Lederhouse lost his sight in 1934 at the age of 19. Fifteen years later he took up golf and with no prior experience and six months coaching won the Canadian Championship in Hamilton and placed third in an international blind golfers’ championship.

From 1950, Lederhouse won the Saskatchewan Provincial Championship 17 times, the Western Canadian Championship 16 times and the Canadian Championship for Blind Golfers 5 times (1950, ’51, ’61, ’62 and 1965 ‑ the last championship was held in 1966).

Lederhouse also was runner‑up in world championships twice and in 1966 held the world record for two years when he shot 89 for 18 holes at the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. He was described as a “threat” in every tournament he took part in because of a natural technique which has been his secret weapon. Lederhouse has been sponsored extensively by Lions clubs and has golfed with celebrities ‑ Jack Nicklaus, Walter Hagen, Bob Hope and Ed Sullivan.

His wife, Ruby, who is also blind, was responsible for his initial involvement and her continued encouragement made him the star he is.

He was installed in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on June 11, 1983.

Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.

Dr. Bob Reid started playing golf early. By the time he was in college he was the Intercollegiate Golf Champion, 1938 at Summerlea, Montreal and in 1939 at York Downs, Toronto.

In Saskatchewan golf history, Dr. Reid has the distinction of winning three major events: junior champion, 1934; Saskatchewan Amateur five times; Saskatchewan Senior. He was a member of the Willingdon team, the Canadian Army Overseas team in 1945 and was third low amateur in the Canadian Open in Winnipeg in 1952.

In 40 years playing, Dr. Reid has won numerous regional, city and club titles. He was president of the Saskatchewan Golf Association and served on the executive for many years, including working with junior development.

He was installed in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on March 22, 1975.

Inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.